Community Bulletin Board

The center for World War II studies and conflict resolution at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft section of Middletown, will hold an information session Feb. 9, 21 or 27 from noon to 1 p.m. at Room 110, MAC building.

The sessions are for students interested in learning about the study abroad program, "Americans in England: Preparing for D-Day" June 14-22. The trip will be led by Paul Zigo, Center director. The itinerary will include guided tours of Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace, and key sites of World War II history. For more information, call the international center at (732) 224-2173.

The college will continue its Black History Month events Feb. 20 and 22 at noon with the showing of the film "When the Levees Broke" at Warner Student Life Center. The free Spike Lee film details the portrait of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

For information, call Lauren at (732) 224-2392 or e-mail lbrutsman@brookdalecc.edu.

Melvin J. Harris, English teacher, Asbury Park Middle School, will give a book discussion on "The Coldest Winter Every" by Sister Souljah Feb. 22 from 7-9 p.m. at Long Branch Higher Education Center, Broadway and Third Avenue. Sister Souljah is a controversial American author and activist. Fee is $15, and code is XAAHS 025 AA.

To register, call (732) 224-2315.

Chinese New Year events begin Feb. 10

The nonprofit Jersey Shore Chinese School, Holmdel, will celebrate Chinese New Year with a party and talent show Feb. 10 from 1-4:30 p.m. at Holmdel High School, 36 Crawfords Corner Road.

The celebration will feature a lion dance, traditional dances, Chinese yo-yo performances, a dragon dance, raffle, and a Chinese orchestra. A Chinese New Year celebration will also be Feb. 17 from 3-4:30 p.m. at Middletown Township Library, 55 New Monmouth Road. The children of the Chinese School will present a one-hour New Year performance at the library consisting of a lion dance, traditional Chinese dances, yo-yo performances, and Chinese music. For more information, call e-mail Gloria at GYL1@comcast.net or call (732) 706-0206.

The Chinese School, the Junior League of Monmouth County, and the Little Silver PTO will present a Chinese New Year celebration Feb. 24 from 3-5 at Markham Place School, 95 Markham Place, Little Silver. The free event will feature a lion dance, a yo-yo demonstration, folk music, Chinese dance, crafts and refreshments.

Reservations are required and may be made by calling (732) 842-2039, option 6, or e-mail jsdawson11@yahoo.com.

Benefit show for crash victim Sunday in Keyport

A 20-year-old Brookdale Community College student, involved in a accident that left a metal object through her heart and a lung in need of a heart operation in order to survive. The young woman, Cathleen Deasey, does not have the proper insurance coverage and is unable to afford the operation. Several musicians will perform a benefit concert on her behalf on Sunday from 7-10 p.m. at Espresso Joe's, 50 W. Front St., Keyport. Call Stacey at (732) 245-6176 or Madison at (732) 275-4487.

Enrichment program adds

courses for spring term

The nonprofit Matawan Student Enrichment Program will begin registration for its spring semester Feb. 10. The school has expanded its courses and will offer more than 50 enrichment courses for students of all ages. Most classes are taught at Lloyd Road School, Matawan. New classes offered include "Let's Do Lunch," "Crime Scene Investigation," and "Lanyard." For more information, call (732) 566-7900 or visit www.msep.info.

Tax program at Matawan Aberdeen Library Feb. 15

Matawan Aberdeen Public Library, 165 Main St., Matawan, will present "Maximize Your Tax Refund," Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Registration is required for the free program. To register, call the library at (732) 583-9100.

Simon's comedy 'Rumors' to open Feb. 9

Spotlight Players will present Neil Simon's comedy "Rumors" Feb. 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 7 p.m., and Feb. 11 and 18 at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Route 34 and Franklin Street, Matawan. Tickets are $17, and $15 for seniors and students. Call (732) 583-7874.

Scholarship offered to juniors, seniors

MIDDLETOWN - High school juniors and seniors who live in Middletown are invited to submit essays about their local government for a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship in the 2007 Louis Bay II Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition.

The scholarship is offered through a joint venture between local mayors and the New Jersey League of Municipalities. The contest is open to any high school junior or senior who lives in Middletown. Each student must write an approximately 500-word essay on the theme "What My Mayor and Governing Body Do Best" to be included in the contest. The theme was chosen by the state League of Municipalities.

"The theme is designed to highlight the efforts of local officials across the state and encourage young people to serve as municipal leaders in the future," Mayor Gerard P. Scharfenberger said in a press release. "I look forward to reading our students' insights and observations about Middletown and its governing body."

All essays must be received by March 15. Middletown will select one essay to forward to the League of Municipalities in Trenton as a semi-finalist. The League of Municipalities will then choose 15 finalists and three scholarships winners. Winners will be announced in May. Winning essays will be featured in the New Jersey Municipalities magazine.

Applications are available at area schools, and the mayor's office, located at town hall. For more information, students should check with their high school or call the mayor's office at (732) 615-2024.

Hazlet rec offers classes, bus trip to New York

Hazlet Recreation will sponsor "Me Without Mommy" for 3-year-olds with a starting date to be announced. Cost is $75 for the 10-week program Mondays from 9:30-11 a.m. A birth certificate is required.

Registration is now under way for karate lessons for children age 4-12, with registration due by Feb. 9 to avoid a $15 late fee. Lessons will be 10 Saturdays from 10-11 a.m. beginning Feb. 10. Lessons are at Amato's Studio, Palmer Avenue. Cost is $35, and uniforms are required and may be purchased at the studio at a discounted price.

Body conditioning for adults will be offered for six weeks Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15-10:15 a.m. beginning Feb. 13. Cost is $50, with a $15 late fee after Feb. 12. Needed are sneakers, an exercise mat or towel, and water bottle. Twelve lessons of cardio-kickboxing for adults will be offered Mondays and Wednesdays from 7-8 p.m. beginning Feb. 19. Cost is $50, with a $15 late fee after Feb. 16. Needed are a mat or towel, water bottle, and light (three to five pounds) hand weights.

An open house for Recreation's preschool for 2007-08 will be Feb. 22 from 9-11:30 a.m. Registration for children age 3-5 may also be done at that time. The program consists of three 10-week sessions. The two-day program for children age 3 will be Tuesdays and Thursdays at a cost of $162.50 for nonresidents, and $130 for residents. The three-day program will be Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at a price of $250 or $200, respectively. Times are from noon-2 p.m. The three-day program for 4-year-olds will be Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9-11:30 a.m. at a cost of $300 and $240, respectively.

Registration may be paid in full or as a deposit of half the amount of the full fee. One half of the fee for the first session the child is registered for is viewed as a non- refundable deposit. Needed at registration are the child's birth certificate, two proofs of Hazlet residency, record of immunization, and proof of physical dated within one year of the registration date.

A bus trip to see "The Pirate Queen" at Hilton Theatre, New York City, will be March 29 and will depart from the Hazlet library, Middle Road, at 4 p.m. Cost is $70 for transportation and balcony seating. A trip to see "Jersey Boys" at August Wilson Theatre, New York City, will be July 17 departing at 4 for a 7 p.m. show. Cost is $107 for transportation and mezzanine seating. A trip to see an Orioles vs. Yankees game at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Md., will be July 28 departing at 10 a.m. (7 p.m. game). Cost is $59 for transportation and admission. A trip to see the Orioles vs. Yankees will be Sept. 30 departing at 8 a.m. for a 1 p.m. game. Cost is $55 for transportation and admission.

All the above are at James J. Cullen Center, 1776 Union Ave., Hazlet, unless otherwise noted. For more information, call Recreation at (732) 739-0653.

Show winners at museum through March 4

The Monmouth County Arts Council (MCAC) has announced the winners of its juried art show, which will be displayed through March 4 at Monmouth Museum on the campus of Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft section of Middletown.

The show received more than 400 entries, and features works such as paintings, works on paper, 3-D works, mixed-media and photography. The pieces of art will also be available for purchase. Museum hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1-5 p.m. Admission is $6 per person, and free for members and children younger than age 2.

For more information, call the museum at (732) 747-2266.

'Craft Center Kids' at Thompson begins Feb. 7

The Monmouth County Park System will host "Craft Center Kids" Wednesdays from 10-10:45 a.m. with an additional session from 11:15 a.m. to noon Feb. 7-28 at Thompson Park Craft Center, Newman Springs Road, Lincroft section of Middletown.

The class is for children age 3-7. Attendees will take part in a new medium such as ceramics, pottery and painting each week. Cost of each session is $43 per child, and registration is required.

To register or for more information, call the park system at (732) 842-4000. The TDD number is 711.

Reservations due by Feb. 11 for IAA's 'Carnevale'

The Italian American Association (IAA) of Monmouth County will host "Carnevale" Feb. 18 from 1-5 p.m. at the Main Street Bistro, 33 E. Main St., Freehold.

The traditional Italian event will feature costume, dancing and a buffet, as well as face painting, mask making, pictures and a play presentation of carnevale and traditional Italian dances. Admission is $30, and $15 for children. Reservations must be paid for in advance by Feb. 11.

Payment may be sent to IAA of Monmouth County, P.O. Box 224, Marlboro 07746.

For information, call Cheryl at (732) 536-5832 or Maria at (732) 863-0021, or visit iaamonmouthcounty.tripod.com.

Pro wrestling benefit in Middletown Feb. 16

The Disabled Firefighters Fund, Sports Entertainment Group, and National Wrestling Superstars will present a night of all-star wrestling Feb. 16 at 7:45 p.m. at Middletown Veterans of Foreign Wars, Route 36 and 1 Veterans Lane, Port Monmouth section of Middletown.

The event will feature World Wrestling Entertainment wrestlers such as The Ugandan Giant Kamala, and Short Sleeve Samson. Tickets are $18, and $16 for children and seniors.

For tickets or information, call (732) 888-1704 or visit www.doubleplaytixx.com.

Registration under way for memory loss program

The Alzheimer's Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter will present the education program for family caregiver "Understanding Memory Loss," Feb. 19 from 10-11 a.m. at Bayshore Fitness and Wellness, 1420 Route 36, Hazlet.

The program is free, but reservations are required as seating is limited. To register or for more information, call the Chapter at (973) 586-4300.

Rec to offer 'Me Without Mommy,' and casino trip

Hazlet Recreation is sponsoring the 10-week "Me Without Mommy" for 3-year-olds Mondays from 9:30-11 a.m. beginning Feb. 12 at James J. Cullen Center, 1776 Union Ave.

The class will consist of circle time, a craft, and introduction to colors, numbers and letters. Cost is $75, and a birth certificate is required.

A bus trip to Foxwood Casino, Connecticut, will be March 3 departing Hazlet Library parking lot at 9 a.m. Cost is $25, which includes two $10 Keno coupons, and $10 toward food. Tickets may be purchased at Recreation at the Cullen Center.

To register for the above, call Recreation at (732) 739-0653.

BCUG meeting slated

for Feb. 16 at Brookdale

The Brookdale Computer Users Group Inc. (BCUG) will hold its next meeting Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. at Room MAN 103, Brookdale Community College, Newman Springs Road, Lincroft section of Middletown.

Lee Maxwell, operator of Dr. Gladmax Macintosh Services, will present "Windows on a MAC." He will also demonstrate different ways to run Windows or Windows software on an Intel-based Apple Macintosh laptop.

The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.bcug.com.

Blood drive at Keyport First Aid Feb. 7

Keyport First Aid Building, Atlantic Street, will host a blood drive in honor of Morgan Cassidy, daughter of Policemen's Benevolent Association (PBA) and Pat DeNardo, PBA supporter and Keyport Fire Department member, Feb. 7 from 3-8 p.m.

Donors must be age 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, and bring a signature ID. For an appointment, call Ken at (732) 739-5143 or Dick at (732) 739-9168.

Junior sailing program open house Feb. 11

The junior sailing program at Keyport Yacht Club, 115 First St., will hold an open house Feb. 11 from 2-5 p.m. The program is open to the public, with classes for students ages 8-16 weekdays and weekends, and adults 17 and older weekends and evenings.

For more information, call Tricia at (732) 290-1130 or e-mail kycjuniorsailing@aol.com.

'All you can eat' breakfast at Keyport VFW Feb. 18

Keyport Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post No. 4247 will host an "all you can eat" buffet breakfast Feb. 18 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Post at Third and Waverly Streets. Cost is $6, and $5 for seniors and children age 12 and younger.

For more information, call (732) 264-8391.

Entries now accepted for district's poster contest

Freehold Soil Conservation District has announced its 2007 poster contest themed "Conservation's Power," with entry deadline March 9.

The contest is open to all students in grades two through 12 in Middlesex and Monmouth counties. Students are encouraged to explore conservation practices in the community - in homes, schools, farms, parks, etc., that save energy or help to create alternative or renewable energy resources. Local level prizes include $100, $75, and $50 U.S. Savings Bonds. All first-place-level winners are submitted for state level competition where a grand champion will be selected, reproduced onto a pocket-folder and distributed statewide.

For an entry forms, e-mail info@freeholdscd.org or call (732) 683-8500.

Candidate kits available for Holmdel Board of Ed

Holmdel Township Board of Education is accepting nominating petitions for positions on the Board through Feb. 26 at 4 p.m. The election will be April 17. School board candidate kits are available at the school district office at 4 Crawfords Corner Road, and include a sample nominating petition and information about legal qualifications for candidacy. Call the board at (732) 946-1800.

Students' artwork on display at Holmdel bank

Sun National Bank, Laurel Avenue, Holmdel, is displaying "The Body Project," full-body-sized portraits done by students at The New School of Monmouth County, Holmdel. Artwork was done by students age 5-8, 8-11 and 11-14. The students worked in groups to create the painted body portraits, and wrote descriptions, which hang next to the pieces at the bank. Call the school at (732) 787-7900.

Ghost Hunter Society to meet Feb. 7 at library

The New Jersey Ghost Hunter Society will meet Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Hazlet branch of the Monmouth County Library, 251 Middle Road. There is no charge to attend. For more information, call (732) 264-7164.

'Child find' to be held by Hazlet Township schools

Parents with a child ages 3-21 who may be experiencing physical, sensory, communication, cognitive or social difficulty are asked to call the Hazlet Township School District at (732) 264-8402 to arrange an appointment and/or referral to a child study team. The school district is responsible for locating and evaluating all children age 3-21 who may be disabled. Children who attend either private or public school or are high mobile such as migrant and homeless students are included in the township's "child find."

Deep Cut Orchid Society show Feb. 8-11 in Holmdel

The 10th annual Deep Cut Orchid Society orchid show will be Feb. 8-11 at the greenhouse at Dearborn Market, Route 35 south and Centerville Road, Holmdel. Hours are Feb. 8-10 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Orchid societies, and growers from the tristate area will present exhibits, and orchids displayed will range in size to 150 feet.

A panel of American Orchid Society judges will award ribbons and trophies Feb. 8 for plants and exhibits.

For more information, call (732) 264-0256 or visit ww.dearbornmarket.com.

Deep Cut Orchid Society to meet Feb. 13

Deep Cut Orchid Society will hold its next meeting Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Monmouth Reform Temple, 332 Hance Ave., Tinton Falls. Guests, and the public are welcome.

Guest speaker Carol Allen will discuss pests and basic culture. There will also be a show table of flowering orchids grown by members, refreshments, a plant raffle and door prize.

For more information, call (732) 531-5058.